These things are probably not related to KS's disappearance, but I am interested in any thoughts locals may have on these stories that might lead me to change my own personal opinions about any connections.
1. One of the police officers who was let go has been reinstated. He was terminated because of an undisclosed violation of department policy. Looks like he appealed and is back after an arbitration or similar proceeding. There's an LD news article on this from yesterday.
Strength of Connection: Very weak, almost definitely unrelated in my opinion, unless you fall into the police conspiracy camp - of which of I am not a member. Yes, there are some tangential connections between responding officers and family members of police, but I'm still not seeing any real connection, although it's perfectly natural for people to be frustrated with police when there isn't progress in a missing persons case. In many situations, I'm critical of police, but not here unless there's information still to come out I'm not aware of.
2. In this (older) story
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2008/01/beheaded_goat_found_on_fire_sc.html, SS describes finding a goat's head on his property after the family barn burned down. Fire happened during the day, some animals got out, I believe LE was calling it arson. SS believes there may have been some occult connection, almost reminds me of the old "Satanic Panic" headlines from the 80s and early 90s. On its face, this story would seem to fall into the category of "Did you have any enemies?" or "Were you in conflict with anyone?"
Strength of Connection: Weak, most likely unrelated in my opinion. Assuming that this was arson, and it wasn't a random crime, but rather due to some underlying dispute or issue, you'd think it would have been related a dispute involving SS rather than KS. Plus it's from a few years ago. I am guessing LE is aware of this and has ruled it out. On the other hand, arson-involving-decapitated-goats & and an unsolved missing persons case are two very low-frequency occurrences; just a strange coincidence that both have affected the same family, or could there be a connection? If there is, I have no idea what it would be, have to say that there's no connection, unless someone can enlighten me.
Thoughts out there anyone (locals especially)?